To the surprise of many, at the Game Awards in 2024, Capcom revealed the return of the Onimusha series. Onimusha: Way of the Sword is set to release sometime in 2026, but before we get there, Capcom has decided to reintroduce the older games to old and new fans alike by remastering Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny, which I’ve gotten to play a fair chunk of early.

Originally released in 2002, the game follows Jubei Yagyu on a quest for revenge after his village was slaughtered. Joining him is a wacky cast of characters, each with their own goals, as they all try to take down Oda Nobunaga and his demonic forces in a fantasy medieval Japan. Narratively, it can be comedic at times, but also very serious and grounded.

A way to bond with these allies is through gifts you can buy from merchants or find throughout the world. Once you have gifted them, depending on whether they like the gift will determine the reward you receive in return. Say, for example, if you gift Ekei a novel, he may turn you away, but if you gift him some exquisite vodka, he’ll love you for it and reward you, usually via healing items essential to your journey.

Now, for the gameplay, the first question is, how will a 23-year-old game hold up in 2025? As someone too young to play the original, I’m happy to say it still holds up all these years later, and the Onimusha series has a new fan after surpassing my expectations.

You have a range of melee and ranged weapons to use as you cut down the variety of foes you’ll encounter. Once they are down, you can claim different types of their essence, which can be used to heal, upgrade your weapons or armour, and use various skills, including transforming into an Oni, making you incredibly powerful in your fights.

Basic rank-and-file demons are the common enemies you’ll fight initially but get progressively harder, from flying enemies to larger mobs. Boss fights have you taking on tougher demons such as Gingafatsu, a spider-like demon who uses a giant axe, but they all require focus as their health pools are much larger than regular mobs and will drop your health before you can even blink.

Combat is tight and responsive, staying true to its roots while benefiting from modern refinements. Visually, the remaster doesn’t overhaul the art direction, but it cleans it up nicely. Character models and environments are sharper, and the presentation feels smooth and polished.

Thanks to this, when you slash your way through a rainy forest, solve the puzzles of a decaying, haunted castle, or walk the warped corridors of a demonic realm, the game’s atmosphere is really immersive, thanks to some of the audio design.

Though the audio design is a mixed bag, while the ambient soundscapes are excellent and help build tension in classic Capcom fashion, the voice acting and combat effects haven’t aged as gracefully. You can feel the limitations of early 2000s audio tech here, though it doesn’t ruin the experience; in fact, it adds a bit of charm to it.

I didn’t expect to enjoy this remaster as much as I did. Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny manages to blend nostalgia with a clean, modern presentation, making me a new fan of the series. I’m excited to keep playing and will have a full review closer to launch. Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny Remaster releases on May 23rd, 2025, on all platforms.

Written by: Dylan Kocins